The Nursery

I've been researching items for the nursery for a month or more now. The overall idea is a forest theme, so the patterns and accessories revolve around that. We didn't want to go too girly or too kiddy, so we're hoping the room is fun and hip.

We plan to get our furniture from IKEA. The dresser we've picked out is this one:


It will also double as a changing table. The red color is what inspired the accents. Here is what we've purchased so far and what we plan to do with it:

Urban Outfitters Mid-Century Modern Rocking Chair (for rocking the babe, of course)



Cloud 9 Proteas Fabric from Cedar House Fabrics (Curtains)



Retrowhale art prints (Wall art)



Sleepyking stuffed forest animals (Decoration and toys)




Wee Woodland Fabric from Sanourra on Etsy (Crib sheet)



I am planning to make the curtains, a couple of accent pillows and some crib sheets. I've been getting my sewing area ready for lots of cutting and sewing. I hope I can get it all done :) I will definitely post pictures once everything is in place. We are having the room painted next week and carpeted the week after. I can't wait to see it all come together!

Baby hats

I'm loving these little hats. I can't seem to stop making them. Good thing I'm due a few months before winter rather than a few after :)

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Fisherman's Baby Sweater & Matching Booties

Our friends welcomed a baby boy this spring out in Seattle. I thought one of THESE sweaters in an oatmeal type colorway would be cute because it would be reminiscent of a fisherman's sweater. It took me longer that I had planned to finish the set, but it was worth the extra time. It arrived safe and sound this week, so I can finally share some pictures.

I also made a pair of matching booties. I found the pattern HERE. I modified it a little to make it more boyish and added the buttons. They turned out super cute. These could be a go-to gift for me from now on.

Sweater Front


Sweater Back


Sweater Button Close-Up


Booties




Ahoy!

Feather and Fan Sweater & Matching Booties

I've finished the Feather and Fan sweater that I mentioned in THIS post. It turned out soooooo cute! I can hardly wait to get it on the babe. I still have some fabric to make a matching dress, hopefully soon.

I also made a pair of matching booties because I had a good deal of yarn leftover. I may make another pair still, because this first pair is really tiny and I think by the time she'll fit into the sweater these booties may be too small. I got the pattern from Ravelry HERE. They were really easy and fast to knit. If I still have enough of the yarn left after the second pair of booties, I may make a headband too. I just love the yarn! I used the Berroco Sox Yarn in the "Bonham" colorway. It's a really great yarn. I'm thinking I should find some more projects to use this yarn on. Soft, easy to knit and the colors are so fantastic!

Sweater Front


Button Detail


Feather and Fan Lace Detail


Sweater Back


Booties


Finished Set

First Crochet Baby Hat

I've been wanting to try crocheting a baby hat for awhile. For some reason, I've done other crochet projects but never a hat. I found this sweet pattern on Ravelry from McKinley's Closet (click here for pattern link). It was so easy and so fast, I finished it tonight while watching the last half of "Deadliest Catch."

I added one of my fabric flower hair bows to see how it would look. Looks pretty cute, I think. And, because it is a hair clip it is easy to take it off or swap it out for a different one. I may have to make a handful of these little (it is so tiny!) hats.

Leafy Shrug

I've finished the first part of Baby M's coming home outfit. It is the Leafy Shrug. Made from the pattern by StitchMama on Ravelry.

It was a super quick and really fun knit. I may make a couple more in larger sizes (the pattern includes instructions for 12 sizes!).

I used cotton yarn because I'm due in August and didn't want anything too hot. It worked up very nice.

Next step is the dress. Can't wait to get started on that!

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Catching Up

Despite my lack of posts, I have been busy creating gifts, clothes and things for the baby. Here are a couple of recent projects.

Scarf & Clutch
I made my SIL a scarf and matching clutch for her birthday. I found the tutorials for both online. They were both pretty easy and turned really cute.

Scarf
Find the tutorial HERE.


Clutch
Find the tutorial HERE.





Tank Top Summer Dress
Since Summer is on it's way and my growing belly is much more comfortable in dresses than pants or skirts, I thought I'd try making a dress from an old tank top and some fabric I had in my stash. I've found a few tutorials online that detail how to create a dress like this one. I don't remember which I used to get me started, but here are a couple good ones:

30 minute tank dress
Elastic Band Empire Waist Dress

I used the scraps from cutting the tank to embellish the front, as well as some lace ribbon I had in my stash. I also used elastic thread in the bobbin of my machine to sew the fabric to the tank, instead of using wide elastic (I didn't have any). It created a bit more stretch to the dress, but not as much as I was hoping for. It still turned out super cute, and as long as I can keep getting it on over my bump I'll be wearing this all summer. I hope to make a couple more, maybe utilizing the elastic waistband technique in the tutorials above.

Tank Dress





I'm still working on a couple of baby gifts for friends. I'm also busy, busy with baby stuff for our babe. I'll post pics soon!

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth . . .

I've just been busy with life :) We moved downstate in November/early December and then moved into our new home at the end of January. We both ended up with jobs within a few weeks of being in the new house, so it felt like all of the sudden life got really busy again. We're still unpacking and settling in.

The most exciting news, however, is that I'm glad I held onto THIS piece I finished last summer:



because I'll have someone to model it for me come August! We couldn't be more excited and I now have a long wish list of things to knit and sew. I just started the "Feather and Fan" sweater from the book 101 Designer One Skein Wonders.



I'm using Berroco Sox yarn in this gorgeous purple colorway. It's going to be so cute! And, I just found some fabric in my stash that will make an adorable dress to match. So much to do . . .

I've got a couple of finished projects to post as well. Hope to get around to doing that this week and hope to get back into more regular posting as we continue to get settled in.

Cowl Girls

After THIS post, I had a couple of girlfriends request a cowl. Of course I was more than happy to oblige. They turned out pretty cute. This time I used the yarn that the pattern called for, Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick. I made one in the "Charcoal" color and one in "Gray Marble." Can't wait to send them off!

Star Crossed Slouchy Beret

I received a gift certificate to Center Street Knits for Christmas from my nieces. I was able to get over to the shop this week and purchase some yarn and a free copy of the Star Crossed Slouchy Beret pattern. It only took me a day to knit this up, and it's so soft and cozy. Mine turned out a bit bigger than the one they had on display in the store, but I think it still looks great, and I am happy that it covers my ears and still has the slouch to it. I mean, shouldn't hats cover your ears? Isn't that the point :)

Profile View


Top View (when laying flat)

Chunky Lace Cowl

My MIL gave me a bunch of Debbie Bliss Alpaca Silk yarn this winter. Since I've been working on a blanket lately that is kind of boring to knit (looks cute, but it's just garter stitch over and over and over) I wanted to knit something quick and with some texture and fun to it. So, I grabbed some of the Alpaca Silk, found an awesome cowl pattern on Ravelry and got to work. Here's the final product:




I love it! It is soooooo soft and will be so warm.

For a Friend

I can't seem to knit enough mittens this season. They are so great for stash yarn and make a great gift. These are for a friend. I hope she likes them

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More Mittens

I'm working on another pair of mittens. Love the colors and the yarn (Berocco Comfort). Can't wait to finish them!

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Plum Perfect Hat

I finished this hat last week. It turned out great! I found the pattern on the Lion Brand Yarn website. It's called the "Plum Perfect Hat." It was a bit of a challenge, but I love the texture and so far it works pretty well :)

I'm thinking of making a few more with some of my stash . . . green, blue . . . we'll see!

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Last Custom Project for a Little While

I just finished this skirt and shirt set for a friend. Turned out pretty cute, I think. I'm going to be taking a break from custom work for a little while b/c we're in the process of moving and I may not have access to a sewing machine for a bit.

I hope to start the new year off in a new space and maybe even with a new sewing machine (I'm thinking a serger would be nice). Cheers!

Aravis Cowl

Back in October we were downstate for a Michigan football game. I found out that Melynda of French Press Knits was doing a trunk show at Have You Any Wool? in Berkley. I decided I'd stop by and introduce myself. Melynda and I are connected in a few ways (through a college friend and a cousin). It was great to meet her in person. I also picked up a copy of her Aravis Cowl pattern and some Malabrigo yarn. I finished this last week. It is pretty sweet. I LOVE the color and the yarn is fantastic! The hood is such a sweet touch. Mine is a little snug when I have it up, but it's warm enough just as a cowl around my neck.

You should check out all the patterns French Press Knits offers and her great site! Also, if you are in Berkley, MI and looking for a great yarn shop, Have You Any Wool? is awesome!

So cozy . . .


Extra warmth


Cute hood action in the back.

Tooth Fairy Pillow

My SIL asked me to make a tooth fairy pillow for my niece. Her birthday is coming up and it will be a birthday gift. After finding out her favorite color is green I dug through my fabric scraps and found these awesome greens. Took a little time to think about the design and then Viola! Pillow, done. I hope she loves it :)

"I love teeth."

Mittens for the Season

I recently finished these mittens to keep my hands warm this winter. We're in a kind of "transitioning" period right now and all my hats, scarves and mittens are in a box in storage. So, I decided I'd just knit myself some new mittens. I LOVE the colors. They match my sharf (shawl/scarf) and they match another knit that I recently finished and will post about soon.

YUM :)

First Shawl Finished!

While I was down in Kalamazoo I was able to finish up my first shawl! The pattern calls it a scarf, but it has the shaping of a short shawl. It is so soft and so versatile.

Tied as a traditional scarf.


Worn as a traditional shawl.


A more open shawl.


Back view


The pattern was pretty easy. The edging is crocheted and it took me some time to figure out exactly what stitches to pick up. The yarn is fabulous! I will definitely use it again . . . maybe even for another one of these. But, first, I will be doing a project on large size needles :)

This was made using the "Typha Scarf" pattern in the Fall 2010 issue of Knitscene.

I used Berroco Ultra Alpaca Fine yarn.